Thi Thi Vietnamese Subs Review

One of my favorite sandwiches in the world is the Bánh mì or what is popularly known as the Vietnamese Submarine. While little good has come from the French having occupied Vietnam, food is the one exception. Made with a crusty baguette and fresh ingredients, this is a sandwich that the chains cannot touch.

There is nowhere in Calgary that I’ve tried which can come close to perfecting the Bánh mì experience like the original Thi Thi Subs at 209 First St SE in the city centre at the edge of ChinaTown (while there are now a few more, they don’t seem to measure up yet). Their satay beef sub is what sandwich dreams are made of. Full of spicy beef, fresh vegetables and served on a wonderfully crisp on the outside/soft on the inside baguette it’s one of the few things I can think of on a full stomach and actually still want one.

Maybe the whole package is what makes the original location special. Waiting in line outside the tiny store and talking with others who are expectantly waiting to order and talking to the staff and owner who are funny and warm to all their customers, this seems to be part of the experience that is Thi Thi and you need to feel it for yourself.